We had talked about winter skin woes and how to combat that in a previous blog post, but what does it actually look like in practice? Let’s break it down below:
Cleanse gently
Like we mentioned before, choosing a gentle cleanser can help your skin retain moisture during colder, drier winter months. When choosing one from the store, we’d generally recommend picking one that has keywords such as “hydrating” or “gentle” in it, such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Both of those are fragrance free and non-comedogenic, meaning it has very low risks of causing irritation and clogging pores. They’re also both recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association’s Skin Health Program.
Optional Add-Ons
For those seeing some extra hydration for their dry skin, you can opt for a serum with moisturizing properties such as Vichy Mineral 89. Not only is it alcohol and fragrance free, but it’s also oil and silicone free and dermatologist tested as well.. The hyaluronic acid in the serum promotes skin hydration since it can hold up to 1000x its weight in water.
For others aiming for more anti-aging results than hydration, you can look into incorporating retinoids into your evening skin care routine if you haven’t already. Retinoids are a vitamin A based product used to address a variety of skin concerns such as acne, fine lines, and wrinkles. Note, though, those who are pregnant are not advised to use retinoids, and retinoids can cause skin irritation and dryness. Try using only a pea-sized amount (that’s really all you need) only once or twice a week and gradually build up the frequency of application. If you are concerned about that, you can consider opting for a vitamin C based skin product instead like Vivier’s C+E Peptides. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent the effects of photoaging and hyperpigmentation, and has also been shown to help with collagen production as well. Vivier’s C+E Peptides also includes Vitamin E, another antioxidant, and peptides - both of which help in reducing the appearance of aging.
Moisturize
A good, hydrating moisturizer is a must for the winter months. Choose ones that have key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, or glycerin. For those with sensitive skin, you can look into ones that are fragrance and alcohol free, such as CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion, or if you need something a little richer, CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream. Both of them are non-comedogenic, oil and fragrance free, and have ingredients such as ceramides to help restore your skin’s barrier, and hyaluronic acid to help moisturize.
As always, SPF
We’ve emphasized this so much by now, so we won’t delve into the reasons behind the importance of a good sunscreen. We will add, though, that this is especially important if you choose to incorporate retinoids into your skincare routine, as it can make skin more photosensitive. Like we said before, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher, such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluide Visage 50+. Or, if the winter cold is making you feel lazy, you could even choose a moisturizer that already has SPF in it, like Cerave’s Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. Both of those are fragrance free and non-comedogenic.
Comments